Our Family for Families First, John G. Picerne's private charitable foundation, awarded 10 scholarships to Army children Monday. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to the Families of active-duty Soldiers.
Among this year's scholarship recipients are aspiring doctors, storm chasers, as well as those with political aspirations and business dreams. These students are aware of community needs and have actively worked to give back to the Army communities they live in.
Graduating seniors of active-duty Soldiers stationed at Forts Bragg, Meade, Polk, Riley and Sill received the scholarships in the amount of $10,000 per year for four years to pursue a secondary education at colleges and universities around the country.
"The caliber of students applying for our scholarships is exceptional," said Maria Montalvo, foundation executive director. "All of the applicants, the children of active-duty Soldiers, are hard-working students who are active in their schools and communities and more than deserving of a college scholarship."
Students receiving the scholarship will begin school in the fall and all will attend the four-year institution of choice. This year's award marks the fifth class of foundation scholarship recipients.
"These are great kids. We are proud of them for what they've already achieved and are so happy to be a part of what they will become," said John Picerne, foundation founder.
Awards were all based on merit and need. Students also submitted 1,000-word essays on the topic "What is the impact on your life of having a parent who is an active-duty Soldier and how has your parent inspired you'"
The names of the outstanding student(s) who received the award are:
Fort Bragg
Juan Gloria attends Pine Forest High School and been involved in various school and community activities. He is the captain of the baseball team and is a National Honor Society board member. He also works at the local movie theater. As the oldest of six boys, he works hard to set a good example for his younger siblings. He plans to attend East Carolina University. His father is Sgt. 1st Class John M. Gloria.
Kathryn Melendez attends Jack Britt High School and has a 4.89 GPA. She is currently ranked sixth in her class of 426 students and has completed more than 80 hours of community service with various organizations and is involved with many academic school clubs and sports, including track and cross country. Melendez plans to attend George Washington University. She is a passionate learner and wants to "assist in the improvement of human rights and developing nations, and the fight against poverty and corruption". Her father is Sgt. Maj. Francisco Melendez.
LaKia Lennon attends Gray's Creek High School and currently has a 4.8 GPA. She is also ranked first in her class of 262 students. She has been involved in many community service efforts and school activities, including basketball, Key Club, chorus and student government as senior year class president. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas. Lennon wants to be a lawyer, and ultimately a judge. Her father is Staff Sgt. Lemorris A. Lennon and her mother is Maj. Sandra E. Lennon.
Thomas McGuire attends Terry Sanford High School and has a 4.8 GPA. In addition to volunteering and work, he has been involved in many school activities, including football captain, track, wrestling, Mock Trial, Teen Republicans, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Mathletes and is the sports editor for his school newspaper. McGuire plans to attend the University of Notre Dame, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or the University of Virginia. He is interested in journalism, political science, and international relations. His father is Col. Timothy P. McGuire.
Fort Polk, La.
Andrea Schrepfer attends the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. She has been accepted to the Florida Institute of Technology, University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of North Carolina at Asheville. She plans to study meteorology and wants to be a storm chaser. Her father is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Adam B. Walker.
Fort Sill, Okla.
Mecia Lockwood attends Lawton High School. She has been involved in various school activities, including Key Club, Model UN, and National Honor Society. She also plays softball and works. Lockwood plans to attend Baylor University and wants to be a child psychologist. Her mother is Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer A. Lockwood.
Fort Riley, Kan.
Brandon Hilyard attends Fountain-Fort Carson High School and is currently ranked first in his class of 401 students. He has a 4.6 grade point average and is very involved in soccer. He plans to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he will study engineering. His father is Sgt.
Dawn L. Clouse.
Sandy Wood attends Manhattan High School and currently has a 4.3 GPA. She has been very involved in community activities and school sports, including volleyball, basketball, swimming and softball. She has received various awards for her efforts and also works. She plans to attend the University of Miami. She wants to work in the medical field, possibly as a neurological surgeon or in studies of genetics and medical research. Her father is Command Sgt. Maj. Brian S. Wood.
Megan Hertel attends Junction City High School and currently has a 4.0 GPA. She has been very involved in school activities, including cheerleading, debate, student council, and National Honor Society. She also works and volunteers in her community. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University and intends to pursue a career in criminal law as a prosecuting attorney. Her father is Lt. Col. Vernon Wayne Robert Hertel.
Fort Meade, Md.
Yeralis Cabrero attends Meade Senior High School and currently has a 4.3 GPA. She has been involved in various community service activities and school sports, including volleyball, cheerleading, and tennis. She has been accepted to the University of Maryland at College Park and wants to be a physical therapist. Her father is Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gerardo Cabrero.
Our Family for Families First was created by John Picerne, president and CEO of Picerne Military Housing, to support the spouses and children of active-duty Soldiers assigned to Forts Meade, Bragg, Polk, Rucker, Riley, Sill and Aberdeen Proving Ground. Families do not have to reside in on-post housing in order to qualify for grants or scholarships.
The foundation is committed to supporting military Families in the pursuit of higher education, instituting a tradition of community service and encouraging professional career paths through education, internships and mentoring programs. It also serves to further the primary mission of Picerne Military Housing - putting military Families First™.
The Foundation also awards up to $5,000 one-time grants to spouses of active-duty Soldiers.
Applicants for grants should go to the website at www.ourfamilyfoundation.org to access an online application. Interested individuals may also call 401-228-2836 or e-mail grants@ourfamilyfoundation.org for more information.
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